JP2837507B2 - Optical matrix switch - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an optical matrix switch used in the field of optical communication.

(Prior Art) FIGS. 2A and 2B show the configuration of a conventional 1 × N optical switch. The ends of the N external optical fibers 1 are terminated by ferrules 2, which are linearly arranged and fixed on a flat plate 3. The end of one intra-office optical fiber 4 is fixed to a Z-direction stage 7 movably supported in the X-direction along a rail 6 by an X-direction stage 5.

Thus, the X-direction stage 5 is driven by driving means (not shown).
To cause the end of the intra-station optical fiber 4 to face the end of the selected external optical fiber 1, and further drive the Z-direction stage 7 by a driving means (not shown) to drive the end of the intra-station optical fiber 4. The outside optical fiber 1 is connected to the end.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of a conventional 2 × 2 optical switch, in which ferrules 9 and 10 each having the ends of two optical fibers 8 terminated are abutted in a split sleeve 11 with their end faces. Both ferrules 9 and 10 are stored
The connection of the optical fiber 8 is switched by rotating one of them 180 ° about the rotation shaft 12 extending over the optical fiber 8.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, in order to extend the 1 × N optical switch shown in FIG. 2 to an N × N optical matrix switch, N external optical fibers arranged in a straight line are required to be Y. In addition to combining N stages in the direction, the number of optical fibers in the office must be N, and these can be independently moved in the Y direction. As the moving distance of the optical fiber becomes longer,
There is a problem that the connection switching time becomes long.

Although an N × N optical matrix switch can be constructed by combining a plurality of 2 × 2 optical switches shown in FIG. 2, in the simplest case, N ² 2 × 2 optical switches are used.
There is a problem that an optical switch is required, and the loss and the size of the device increase. Further, in the 2 × 2 optical switch, it is difficult to connect the optical fibers attached to the same ferrule, and therefore, there is a problem that it cannot be used in a communication system that requires a folded connection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to realize an optical matrix switch that is small in size, has low loss, and can switch connection with a light beam.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides, as a claim (1), a plurality of optical fiber bundles each including at least one optical fiber in a row direction and a column direction. An optical matrix switch for arranging and connecting optical fiber bundles by arranging optical switches and holding two ends of four ends of optical fiber bundles formed at intersections so as to face each other. A pair of end face plates, an optical path which is relatively movably combined between the pair of end face plates and crosses and connects the two facing end portions to each other, and the optical path between the two facing end portions, respectively. An optical matrix switch using an optical switch including an optical path connected linearly and an optical path plate having an optical path connecting two ends held by the same end face plate,
An optical matrix for switching and connecting each optical fiber bundle by disposing an optical switch at each intersection of a plurality of optical fiber bundles in a row direction and a column direction including at least one optical fiber. A switch, comprising: four end face plates for holding four end portions of the optical fiber bundle formed at the intersection portion two by two so as to oppose each other and holding a line connecting the two opposing end portions at right angles to each other; An optical path plate that is relatively rotatably combined between the four end face plates and has an optical path connecting the two opposing ends and an optical path connecting the two non-opposing ends. We propose an optical matrix switch using an optical switch provided.

(Operation) According to claim (1) of the present invention, the ends of the optical fiber bundle held by one end plate of the optical switch are combined by relative movement between the end plate and the optical path plate. Through the optical path, the end of the optical fiber bundle held across the other end face plate or the end of the optical fiber bundle held opposite or the other optical fiber bundle held on the same end face plate Connected to the end,
As a result, the optical path is switched.

Further, according to claim (2) of the present invention, the ends of the optical fiber bundle held by one end plate of the optical switch are combined by the relative rotation of the end plate and the optical path plate. Is connected to either the end of the opposing optical fiber bundle or the end of two non-opposing optical fiber bundles, thereby switching the optical path.

(Embodiment) In the present invention, a 2 × 2 optical matrix switch is used as a basic unit. However, in an ordinary communication system, two optical fibers for upstream and downstream are used as one line (optical fiber bundle). The description mainly focuses on a 4 × 4 optical matrix switch.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the optical matrix switch of the present invention. In the figure, reference numerals 21 and 22 denote optical fiber bundles in a row direction, reference numerals 23 and 24 denote optical fiber bundles in a column direction, and reference numerals 25, 26, and 27 and 28
Is an optical switch.

The optical fiber bundles 21 and 22 are each composed of two optical fibers 21.
a, 21b and 22a, 22b.
23 and 24 are two optical fibers 23a, 23b and 24a, 2
4b. The optical switches 25, 26, 27 and 28 are a pair of end plates 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b, 27a, 27b and 28a, 28b, respectively.
And optical path plates 25c, 26c, 27c and 28c.

The optical switch 25 is disposed at the intersection of the optical fiber bundle 21 and the optical fiber bundle 23, and the optical fiber bundle 21 formed at the intersection is provided.
, And 23 (here, one end of the optical fiber bundle includes the ends of two optical fibers), two ends of which are connected to end plates 25a and 25b, respectively. It is held to face. The optical switch 26 is disposed at the intersection of the optical fiber bundle 21 and the optical fiber bundle 24, and two of the four ends of the optical fiber bundles 21 and 24 formed at the intersection are the ends. They are held by face plates 26a and 26b so as to face each other. The optical switch 27 is connected to the optical fiber bundle 22.
And the optical fiber bundle 23 are disposed at the intersections, and two of the four ends of the optical fiber bundles 22 and 23 formed at the intersections are held so as to face the end face plates 27a and 27b, respectively. Is done. The optical switch 28 is disposed at the intersection of the optical fiber bundle 22 and the optical fiber bundle 24, and two of the four ends of the optical fiber bundles 22 and 24 formed at the intersection are connected to the end. They are held by face plates 28a and 28b so as to face each other.

The optical path plate 25c includes an optical path B that connects the two opposing ends crossing each other, an optical path B that linearly connects the two opposing ends respectively, and two optical paths held by the same end plate. There is an optical path c connecting the ends (each optical path a, b, and c consists of four optical paths corresponding to each optical fiber of two intersecting optical fiber bundles), and a pair of ends. The face plates 25a and 25b are relatively movably combined. The optical path plates 26c, 27c and 28c are optical path plates, respectively.
It has the same optical path as 25c, between a pair of end face plates 26a, 26b, 27a,
They are relatively movably combined between 27b and 28a, 28b. The relative movement between each end face plate and the optical path plate is performed by a driving unit (not shown) such as a solenoid.

In each of the optical switches 25 to 28, assuming that the optical path A is disposed between the end face plates as shown in FIG. 1, each optical fiber bundle 21 to 24 is not connected to any other optical fiber bundle. Becomes At this time, for example, by moving the end plates 25a, 25b or the optical path plate 25c in the optical switch 25, the optical path b is changed to the end plate 25.
When the optical fiber bundle 21 is located between the positions a and 25b, the left optical fiber bundle 21 is connected to the upper optical fiber bundle 23 and the right optical fiber bundle 21 is connected to the lower optical fiber bundle 23 in the drawing. Similarly, when the optical path c is disposed between the end plates 25a and 25b, the left optical fiber bundle 21 is connected to the lower optical fiber bundle 23, and the right optical fiber bundle 21 is connected to the upper optical fiber bundle 23. You. The same connection switching can be performed in the other optical switches 26 to 28, and by combining them, the connection of each optical fiber bundle can be switched to an arbitrary optical fiber bundle.

Note that a large-scale M × N optical matrix switch can be configured by extending the same configuration in the row direction and the column direction. Further, both sides of the optical fiber bundle in each row direction and column direction can be used separately.

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the optical matrix switch of the present invention. In the figure, 31 and 32 are optical fiber bundles in the row direction, 33 and 34 are optical fiber bundles in the column direction, and 35, 36,. 37 and 38
Is an optical switch.

Each of the optical fiber bundles 31 and 32 has two optical fibers 31.
a, 31b and 32a, 32b.
33 and 34 are two optical fibers 33a, 33b and 34a, 3 respectively.
4b. The optical switches 35, 36, 37 and 38 are respectively provided with four end plates 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d, 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d, 37a,
37b, 37c, 37d and 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d and optical path plates 35e, 36e, 37
e and 38e.

The optical switch 35 is disposed at the intersection of the optical fiber bundle 31 and the optical fiber bundle 33, and the optical fiber bundle 31 formed at the intersection is provided.
, And 33 (here, one end of the bundle of optical fibers includes the ends of two optical fibers).
They are held on the end plates 35a, 35b, 35c and 35d so as to indicate the lines that face each other and connect the two opposite ends. The optical switch 36 is disposed at the intersection of the optical fiber bundle 31 and the optical fiber bundle 34, and four ends of the optical fiber bundles 31 and 34 formed at the intersection face each other two by two, and It is held by the end face plates 36a, 36b, 36c and 36d so that the line connecting the two opposing ends is orthogonal. The optical switch 37 is disposed at the intersection of the optical fiber bundle 32 and the optical fiber bundle 33, and the four ends of the optical fiber bundles 32 and 33 formed at the intersection face each other two by two, and End plates 37a, 37b, 37c such that the line connecting the two opposite ends is orthogonal.
And 37d. The optical switch 38 is disposed at the intersection of the optical fiber bundle 32 and the optical fiber bundle 34, and the four ends of the optical fiber bundles 32 and 34 formed at the intersection face each other two by two, and It is held by the end face plates 38a, 38b, 38c and 38d so that the line connecting the two opposing ends is orthogonal.

The optical path plate 35e includes an optical path d for connecting the two opposing ends and an optical path e for connecting the two non-opposed ends (each optical path d is an optical path bundle of two intersecting optical fiber bundles). It comprises four optical paths corresponding to the optical fibers.) And is relatively rotatably combined between the four end face plates 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d. Also, optical path plate
36e, 37e and 38e have the same optical path as the optical path plate 35e, respectively, between the four end plates 36a, 36b, 36c and 36d, 37a, 37b, 37c and 37d.
And 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d are relatively rotatably combined. The relative rotation between each end face plate and the optical path plate is performed by driving means (not shown) such as a motor.

In each of the optical switches 35 to 38, assuming that an optical path D is disposed between the end face plates as shown in FIG. 4, each of the optical fiber bundles 31 to 34 is not connected to any other optical fiber bundle. Becomes At this time, for example, by rotating the end plates 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d or the optical path plate 35e in the optical switch 35 by 45 degrees and disposing the optical path E between the end plates 35a, 35c and 35b, 35d, The left optical fiber bundle 31 is the upper optical fiber bundle
33, and the right optical fiber bundle 31 is connected to the lower optical fiber bundle 33. Similarly, when the optical path E is rotated by 45 degrees and the optical path E is arranged between the end face plates 35a and 35d and between 35b and 35c, the left optical fiber bundle 31 is connected to the lower optical fiber bundle 33,
The right optical fiber bundle 31 is connected to the upper optical fiber bundle 33. Similar connection switching can be performed in the other optical switches 36 to 38, and by combining these, each optical fiber bundle can be switched to an arbitrary optical fiber bundle.

Note that a large-scale M × N optical matrix switch can be configured by extending the same configuration in the row direction and the column direction. Further, both sides of the optical fiber bundle in each row direction and column direction can be used separately.

FIG. 5 shows an example of an optical communication system using the optical matrix switch of the present invention, in which 40 is a node station including an optical matrix switch 41, 42, 43, and 44 are terminal devices,
Reference numeral 45 denotes an external optical fiber cable (line).

Figure 6 shows one example of the optical matrix switch 41, in _{FIG., H 1, h 2, ......} h m is the row direction of the optical fiber corresponding to each station outside optical fiber outsiders optical fiber cable 45, v ₁ , v
_2, ...... v _n is the column direction of the optical fiber corresponding to each station within the optical fiber to the station device in the node station 40, similar to the light switch and the first or second embodiment all the intersection thereof Container (in the figure,
Indicated by ○. (Here, each optical fiber bundle is composed of one optical fiber, and each optical switch is assumed to correspond to this.)

If the line in the system is not used at all, outsider optical fiber h ₁ to h _m and intra-office optical fiber v ₁ to v _n are connected in the same row and one column to each other by the optical switch, the outsider and station All are in a loop state, and a cut-off test is possible.

Next, now, to the drawings in the optical switch p ₇ is the left side of the outsider optical fiber h ₃ is connected to the upper station optical fiber v _3, also the right of outsiders optical fiber h ₃ is below the station light is connected to the fiber v _3, it is assumed to be connected to the terminal device. In this case, the failure left outsider optical fiber h _3, which if you attempt to switch to the nuisance optical fiber h ₁ on the left, for example, the left side in the optical switch p ₅ outsiders optical fiber h ₁ and the upper by connecting the station optical fiber v _3, it is possible to perform connection switching without changing the state of the optical switch p _7. Further, when switching the nuisance optical fiber h ₃ of the left side to the left side of the nuisance optical fiber h _4, for example above the station optical fiber v ₃
- optical switch p ₇ - optical switch p ₃ - can be carried out connection switching on the root of the optical switching device p _4.

Also, if the terminal device has been transferred, for example, when the terminal device that used nuisance optical fiber h ₃ now uses the nuisance optical fiber h _2, the same row and same column in the optical switch p ₇ switching so as to connect with each other, the drawing in the optical switch p ₆ connects the nuisance optical fiber h ₂ on the left side above the station optical fiber v _3, also the right of outsiders optical fiber h ₂
The be connected below the station optical fiber v _3, without and affecting other optical fiber without switching the station optical fiber, it is possible to perform switching of nuisance optical fiber. It should be noted that the switching can be similarly performed for other external optical fibers without affecting the other optical fibers.

In an optical communication system as shown in FIG.
In order to improve the line rescue rate and the line use efficiency at the time of failure, a backup line common to a plurality of service lines may be set.

Figure 7 is shows another example of the optical matrix switch 41, in _{FIG., H 1, h 2, h} 15, h 16 is outsider optical fiber cable 45
Row direction of the optical fiber corresponding to each station outside optical fiber for _{spare, h 3, h 4, ......} h 14 is the row direction of the optical fiber corresponding to each station outside optical fiber for service outsiders optical fiber cable 45 , V ₁ and v ₁₃ are column-direction optical fibers for transition,
_{v 2, v 3, ...... v} 12 is the column direction of the optical fiber corresponding to each station within the optical fiber to the station device in the node station 40, the first or second embodiment all the intersection thereof A similar optical switch (indicated by a circle in the figure) is arranged (however, each optical fiber bundle here is composed of one optical fiber, and each optical switch corresponds to this). to.) here, now, the service for outsiders optical fiber h ₃ on the left side in the drawing in the optical switching device p ₁ is the upper station optical fiber
v Assume that it is connected to ₆ . At this time, if the service for nuisance optical fiber h ₃ of the left side has failed and it attempts to switch it to the spare nuisance optical fiber h ₂ on the left, the optical switching device
By connecting the spare outsider optical fiber h ₂ of the left and upper station optical fiber v ₆ in p _2, it can be carried out connection switching without affecting the other lines. Further, when switching the service for nuisance optical fiber h ₃ of the left side to the right side spare outsider optical fiber h ₁₅ of, for example above the station optical fiber v ₆ - optical switch p ₂ - optical switch p ₃ - Optical fiber for migration
v ₁₃ - the root of the optical switching device p ₄ can perform the connection switching.

As described above, the optical matrix switch of the present invention can be configured with 1/4 number of optical switches as compared with the case of using the conventional 2 × 2 optical switch, and further has a common spare line and When used in a system having a line, a smaller number of optical switches can be used, and the size can be further reduced.

The size of one optical switch is 40 mm long including the driving means.
mm, width 30 mm, height 20 mm, and switching speed in the case of solenoid drive is about 5 msec.
It is about 0.3 dB.

(Effect of the Invention) As described above, according to claim (1) of the present invention,
Two of the four ends of the fiber optic bundle formed at the intersection
A pair of end face plates for holding the two end portions so as to face each other, and an optical path which is relatively movably combined between the pair of end face plates and crosses and connects the two opposing end portions to each other; Since an optical switch including an optical path connecting the two end portions facing each other linearly and an optical path plate having an optical path connecting the two end portions held on the same end face plate is used, Only by moving a pair of end face plates or optical path plates of the optical switch, each optical fiber bundle in the row direction and the column direction can be connected to any other optical fiber bundle, and in each row direction and the column direction. It is also possible to use both sides of the optical fiber bundle separately, so that it is possible to provide a small-sized optical matrix switch which can switch the light beams, has a small loss, and can switch the light beams.

According to claim (2) of the present invention, the four ends of the optical fiber bundle formed at the intersection part are opposed to each other two by two, and the lines connecting the two opposed ends are orthogonal to each other. As described above, an optical path which is relatively rotatably combined between the four end face plates, and connects between the two opposing ends and between the two non-opposing ends, respectively. Since an optical switch having an optical path plate having an optical path to be connected was used, only the four end face plates or optical path plates of each optical switch were rotated, and each of the optical fiber bundles in the row direction and the column direction was converted into another. It can be connected to any optical fiber bundle, and both sides of each optical fiber bundle in the row direction and the column direction can be used separately, so that the light flux can be switched, the loss is small and the optical matrix switch is small. Can be provided

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of an optical matrix switch of the present invention, FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b) are block diagrams of a conventional 1 × N optical switch, and FIG. 3 is a conventional 2 × N optical switch. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the optical matrix switch of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of an optical communication system using the optical matrix switch of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the optical matrix switch in FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing another example of the optical matrix switch in FIG. 21,22,23,24,31,32,33,34 ... optical fiber bundle, 25,26,27,
28,35,36,37,38 …… Optical switch, 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b, 27a, 27
b, 28a, 28b, 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d, 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d, 37a, 37b,
37c, 37d, 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d …… End plate, 25c, 36c, 27c, 28
c, 35e, 36e, 37e, 38e …… Optical board, i, b, ha, d, e…
... light path.

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] An optical matrix switch for arranging and connecting optical fiber bundles by arranging an optical switch at each intersection of a plurality of optical fiber bundles in a row direction and a column direction including at least one optical fiber. A pair of end plates for holding two of the four ends of the optical fiber bundle formed at the intersection so as to face each other, and a pair of end plates that are relatively movable between the pair of end plates. An optical path that is joined and connects the two opposing ends so as to intersect with each other, an optical path that connects the two opposing ends linearly, and a light path that is held on the same end plate.
An optical matrix switch, comprising: an optical switch including an optical path plate having an optical path connecting two ends. 2. An optical matrix switch for arranging and connecting optical fiber bundles by disposing an optical switch at each intersection of a plurality of optical fiber bundles in a row direction and a column direction including at least one optical fiber. Four end face plates for holding the four ends of the optical fiber bundle formed at the intersection two by two so that the lines connecting the two opposite ends are orthogonal to each other;
A light path plate which is relatively rotatably combined between two end face plates and has an optical path connecting between the two opposing ends and an optical path plate connecting the two non-opposing ends respectively. An optical matrix switch using a switching device.